Dead

I was talking to a friend the other day about how I always imagined myself dying young. Don't know why I just had that feeling. And when I turned 33 this last year, I thought to myself, Jesus was 33 maybe I will be too. In two weeks I'll be celebrating number 34 (so I guess I have two more weeks to die at 33 ;) and I'm looking back on my year of 33 and you know what? I did die this year. I died more than ever to myself, my flesh and God has powered me with His spirit more than ever. I've died to my past and broke free from the bondage I had with past violators and secrets, guilt, shame and regret. Secrets I was so ashamed of letting the world know. I was frozen with fear that the world would think less of me because of the mistakes I've made. And now I've become alive again and washed clean.

"Christianity has never been about living for Christ but about dying with Christ. God cannot resurrect living flesh, only dead flesh. When our flesh decreases, Christ will increase." - Mike Evans Each day moment by moment I need to die with Christ, the only way he can save me is if I die to my flesh! All the things in this life that I want to do I end up sinning and doing the things I don't want to do...yes I've said this before but want to again: Galatians 5:16-17 says "So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want." What God wants me to do and what I want to do are constantly working against each other. People there is a battle within us. And the devil is winning battles daily. I want to be in God's will, and for me to follow Him I have to die to my flesh. We cannot attempt to live the Christian life on our own attempt, we fail. We have to give HIM control. And like I said in my last post, lets face it we don't have any control. Its not about us, its always about Him. We put ourselves on the throne instead of Him. Yes even when I get on facebook and wish I had what they had. The next item I "need" doesn't bring happiness. Jesus does.


I write these things only to encourage, and to bring hope. My prayer is for you reading this that you can cling to Christ and be empowered and overjoyed by Him to live your days differently. Live each day with purpose. Live each day with eternal perspective. Live each day with no regrets. You can start today! If we keep doing what we are doing nothing is going to change. If you want change, we have to make a change. I have to pray continually; 1 Thess 5:16-17 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." YES even when my 4 year old poops his pants and licks the floor at Target. Yes even when my 6 year old pukes on the floor at the check out at Walmart. When I'm stressed and devastated at circumstances I need Him more. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105 HIS word will light our way and show me which way to go. I have to read his word. "Eat his word" Pray and read the bible.

I vividly remember hearing these words over and over and think of the song "read your bible, pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow." Don't let these words harden your heart or say, yeah I know I should, what does that really do? It will change your life. It will make you die. You will become alive in a whole new way. A new way of living dangerously. A new way of Jesus triumphantly being shown to the world. Change the world with me friends. God is GOOD!! "When our flesh decreases, Christ will increase" LOVE THAT!!!